Police powered through to the final of the Nichol Shield with a well-deserved win over Teachers.

Scrum half Gareth Davies, back from two weeks off the Island, dodged and jinked his way past Teachers to score two excellent individual tries in the first half.

Teachers' only reply in the opening period was a gift try from Bobby Hurdle and Police led 15-7 at the break.

But Ross Webber dragged Teachers back into the game with a try he converted himself to reduce the deficit to just one point.

A powerful surge by the Police pack produced a try which broke Teachers' resolve and a further try by Jamieson left Police, who have already won the Beck's League title, favourites to capture the Shield in two weeks' time.

Mariners 18 Renegades 16 Josh McGavern showed his class on his return from a brief foray into Irish professional rugby to inspire Mariners to a thrilling Nichol Shield semi-final triumph.

McGavern's energy injected hope into a weary-looking Mariners XV.

Trevor Roberts drew first blood for Renegades, crashing over for an early try, but Ken Anderson levelled the scores a few minutes later.

Half-time came with the sides still level-pegging at 8-8, but Mariners' Devrae Noel-Simmons showed his blistering pace over 15 yards and carried several Gades on his back to force his way over the line and set the game alight.

Gades fought back with a converted try by Baisley, which left them 16-15 in front, but they fluffed a chance to seal victory when they missed a penalty.

Keith Hodgkins made Renegades pay for an error in the dying minutes, when he squeezed his kick over the bar to send Mariners through to the final.